If you're staring at your remote wondering exactly what channel is the NFL game coming on today, you aren't alone. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and we are right in the thick of the Divisional Round. This is arguably the best football weekend of the year because the "pretenders" from the Wild Card round are gone, and we’re left with the heavy hitters.
Today is a doubleheader. We’ve got two massive games that will decide who moves on to the Conference Championships next week. One AFC clash in the afternoon and an NFC showdown under the lights.
The Afternoon Slate: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up, at 3:00 PM ET, we have the Houston Texans traveling to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots.
If you are looking for this game, it is airing on ESPN and ABC.
Honestly, it's kinda wild to see Drake Maye and C.J. Stroud facing off in a playoff game this early in their careers. The Patriots secured the #2 seed and had the week off, while Houston is coming off a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
How to watch the Texans vs. Patriots:
- TV Channels: ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes (for Spanish coverage).
- Streaming: ESPN+, the ESPN app, and Fubo.
- Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT.
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are on the call for this one. If you’re a cord-cutter, ESPN+ is basically your best friend here. You can also find it on most major live TV streaming platforms like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV since it's on ABC.
The Nightcap: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Once the sun goes down, the action shifts to the frozen tundra—or at least the very cold grass—of Soldier Field. At 6:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears.
This game is coming on NBC.
You've got Caleb Williams in his first home playoff start against a veteran Rams team that just squeaked past Carolina last week. It’s a classic "new school vs. old school" matchup.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Where to find the Rams vs. Bears:
- TV Channels: NBC, Telemundo, and Universo.
- Streaming: Peacock (exclusive streaming home), NFL+, and Fubo.
- Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM CT.
Because it’s a Sunday night game on NBC, the coverage actually starts a bit earlier. Football Night in America kicks off at 6:00 PM ET to get you hyped. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be in the booth. If you’re trying to watch on your phone, remember that the NFL+ app usually limits you to local and primetime games, so since this is national, you should be good to go there.
Why the Channel Matters for 4K and Streaming Quality
Look, nobody wants to watch a playoff game that looks like it was filmed through a potato.
If you're watching on NBC/Peacock, they usually have a pretty solid bitrate for their big games. However, for the afternoon game on ABC, sometimes the local affiliate feed can vary. If you have the option, switching over to the ESPN+ digital stream can sometimes give you a cleaner, more consistent frame rate, especially during high-motion plays.
Also, if you are outside the US, the channels change. In the UK, Sky Sports usually carries these games, while DAZN handles the international Game Pass.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Quick Checklist for Today's Games
- 3:00 PM ET: Texans at Patriots. Switch to ABC or ESPN.
- 6:30 PM ET: Rams at Bears. Switch to NBC or Peacock.
- Check your internet. If you're streaming, make sure nobody in the house is downloading a 100GB game update at 3:05 PM.
- If the game is lagging on a specific app, try the network’s native app (like the NBC Sports app) instead of a multi-channel provider like YouTube TV.
The stakes are massive today. The winners of these two games will join the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks—who won their matchups yesterday—in the final four.
Basically, if you want to see who’s going to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara next month, you need to be in front of a screen by 3:00 PM.
Next Steps for Your Game Day:
Check your local listings to ensure your ABC affiliate hasn't been moved due to local programming, and if you're planning to stream the night game, log into Peacock now to make sure your subscription hasn't lapsed.